Focus Areas

The project will be implemented through five work packages (WP). The WPs are based on a set of interrelated activities, including best practice in policy (WP2); implementing pilot actions across a range of market conditions (WP3); drawing together conclusions into the design of models for renewable energy used (WP4); and the development of green house gas monitoring tools (WP5) to support the impacts and outcomes of the pilot project results. More specifically, the WPs are:

• WP1 Management, coordination and communications: As lead partner, the WDC will have responsibility for the overall project, its financial management and the project’s communications strategy.
• WP2 Policy framework: Action Renewables will lead on WP2. This will analyse best-practice initiatives and design a toolkit as part of the models that will inform local, regional and national policy development. The outputs from WP2 will inform policy-makers and rural/regional development bodies on better strategies for renewable energy take-up and rural business development.
• WP3 Renewable energy development model pilot projects: Led by the WDC, WP3 will develop six pilot projects to test and demonstrate methodologies to commercialise new renewable energy market solutions. The pilots will develop supply chain solutions, stimulate fuel demand and provide technical and business advice to establish sustainable business models.
• WP4 Design of renewable energy stimulation models: Led by Action Renewables, WP will design best-practice models to simulate renewable energy in rural communities. The final design will set out a number of market and industry stimulation models arising from the results of the pilot implementation and policy review. These models can then be disseminated and implemented across the NPP area. Other key outputs will include a step-by-step development and implementation approach, a GHG emission and monitoring tool and links to policy initiatives needed to drive such developments.
• WP5 Rural greenhouse gas emissions research, analysis and monitoring: The Environmental Research Institute will lead on WP5, which will establish a best-practice GHG emissions protocol/toolkit for rural communities involving both measurement and forecasting. This toolkit will be incorporated in the stimulation models, and applied to the pilot projects.